Suppressed TSH, low T3 and normal T4: My GP wants... - Thyroid UK

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Suppressed TSH, low T3 and normal T4

My GP wants to stop giving me T4 and/or stop my T3. I purchase my own T3 and have been on 100 mg of levo and 75mg of T3 for years and feel fine. My TSH has been suppressed for 10 yrs and my gp said he isn’t happy to be prescribing me t4 anymore since I’m hurtling towards menopause. I’ve reduced t3 to 25 a day and starting to feel rubbish after 2mths. Piling on weight, tired and headaches, bad indigestion etc. when I asked if he had a plan if my symptoms come back he said no!! Advice or thoughts would be appreciated please

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SeasideSusieRemembering2 years ago

Muppet

My GP wants to stop giving me T4 and/or stop my T3.

My TSH has been suppressed for 10 yrs and my gp said he isn’t happy to be prescribing me t4 anymore since I’m hurtling towards menopause.

So what is the reason your GP wants to stop prescribing? Does he think the menopause will miraculously cure your hypothyroidism or is there another reason?

Can you post your latest test results with their reference ranges, it may give us a clue.

Muppet in reply to SeasideSusie2 years ago

Hi, purely based on suppressed Tsh as it’s going to make me have heart problems, osteoporosis etc etc

SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Muppet2 years ago

What about FT4 and FT3? Is FT3 in range?

SlowDragonAdministrator2 years ago

Email Thyroid U.K. for list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologist and doctors who will prescribe T3

tukadmin@thyroiduk.org

Before considering booking any consultation, especially if private get FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing done

Having dramatically reduced your T3 dose your vitamin levels likely to drop

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally before 9am last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

On T3 or NDT - day before test split daily dose into 3 smaller doses, spread through the day at approx 8 hour intervals, taking last 1/3rd of daily dose 8-12 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Muppet in reply to SlowDragon2 years ago

Thank you for the info

DippyDame2 years ago

His reasoning is flawed!

Does he not understand that we are all different and do not all fit his text book "rules"

my gp said he isn’t happy to be prescribing me t4 anymore since I’m hurtling towards menopause

If we are diagnosed as hypo then we need replacement hormone for life....and he is threatening to withdraw this prescribed medication without your agreement.

Sounds like... stop self medicating with T3 or I will withdraw your prescription

Sounds unethical to me!

I stopped taking levo in favour of T3 but that was my choice

I take 100mcg T3-only and have a type of thyroid hormone resistance

Blood tests were devised for T4 not T3 and as T3 dose rises (75mcg + 100mcg T4 is a large dose) the results become skewed and no longer useful so we also need to pay attention to signs and symptoms

But you have proved what happens if you reduce T3....albeit after only 2 months

Were you advised by this GP to drop T3 to 25mcg in one step?

Big drop which could confuse your body...

It will possibly cause nutrient levels to drop too...

Full thyroid testing advised to include nutrients

TSH FT4, FT3, vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin...and antibodies TPO and TG if not previously tested.

Do you monitor resting heart rate, basal temp and check for hand tremors?

Adding larger amounts of T3 will suppress TSH that's how the body works!

To feel well you must need a bigger dose combo and this is worrying him

Returning symptoms indicate undermedication as you already know

I asked if he had a plan if my symptoms come back he said no!!

Well that sums it up!

If that's the case can he now understand/ explain why your symptoms HAVE returned.

He is making you feel awful and he needs to explain why he thinks this is acceptable after you have been fine for 10 years.

He may quote similar to this...

"Due to declining levels of oestrogen around the time of menopause and in postmenopausal women who are not prescribed HRT, for some women a dose reduction of levothyroxine may be indicated" ex BTF

He is jumping the gun and assuming this may be an issue,

"SOME" is the operational word here.....not ALL women!

He is anticipating and treating a problem that may never exist and in the process, making you feel unwell. Does he use a crystal ball to look into the future!!

I'm so sorry you are being treated like this, in your shoes I would refuse to reduce dose on the basis that you feel fine and that he has no idea how to treat you should the decrease he is imposing on you fail.

My cynicism and frustration regarding current thyroid treatment increases by the day!

Just a few thoughts...

Good luck.

Muppet in reply to DippyDame2 years ago

Thanks for your support! I’m going to carry on with my original dose where I felt good. I think quality of life is important now and I’m taking natural progesterone to help any negative affects from menopause.

DippyDame in reply to Muppet2 years ago

For what it's worth that's what I would do.